Message of Abbot Paul - Friday - 3rd May 2024
Abbot Paul • May 3, 2024
​Although we now celebrate the Apostles Philip and James on 3rd May, this was originally, and still is in Peru and many other countries, the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, here we continue our reading of that final discourse Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper, as recorded in John, (Jn 15: 12-17), and we continue where we left off yesterday. Jesus is speaking of the Father’s love, that the love he has for Jesus is reflected in the love that Jesus has for his disciples. He says,
“This is my commandment:
​​​​love one another,
as I have loved you.”
Now that love which Jesus has for us, must be reciprocated in the love we have for others. We are to love others in the same way as Jesus loves us. He goes on,
“A man can have no greater love
than to lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends,
if you do what I command you.
I shall not call you servants any more,
because a servant does not know
his master’s business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father.”
But for Jesus, what does love mean, other than, ”to lay down ones life for ones friends’? Jesus proposes a sacrificial love than which no other love is greater. To love means to give oneself unconditionally to others, even to the shedding of our blood. That is how Jesus loves us and has given himself up for our forgiveness and salvation, that we might be reconciled with God through him. Not only are we loved and expected to love equally in return, but we are called, and truly are, friends of Jesus. We are friends with whom Jesus has shared everything the Father has taught the Son. Jesus opens up for us his knowledge of the Father’s heart.
​Jesus then reminds us that we have been called and chosen for a purpose.
“You did not choose me:
no, I chose you;
and I commissioned you
to go out and to bear fruit,
fruit that will last;
and then the Father will give you
anything you ask him in my name.
What I command you is to love one another.”
Jesus chooses his disciples; they do not choose him, but we are commissioned for a special reason, to bear fruit that will last. That will be the proof of love for which God will give us anything we ask him in his name. The Christian life is born of love and leads to love, which is why Jesus repeats that commandment of love. We are to love one another with a perfect love, the love that casts out all fear, that unconditional love which comes to us from God. Lord, you have taught us many things. Teach us how to love according to your heart and mind Amen.
A homily by Abbot Brendan at a special Easter Mass for Pope Francis, attended by Catholics from across the Deanery.
Pope Francis RIP Pope 2013-2025 Born 1936, Died 2025 We are deeply saddened at the passing of Pope Francis. As the successor of St Peter he has been a spiritual father and shepherd to the church in our day, challenging us, and calling as to reach out to those on the peripheries. He was the first Jesuit Pope, but took the name Francis after the Poor Man of Assisi who modelled for him a closeness to the poor, a concern for those on the margins of society and a care for all of creation In his preaching Pope Francis always spoke of the joy of the Gospel and encouraged us to reflect the joy of our faith in our lives. He showed the compassion of Jesus to everyone. He worked tirelessly for the unity of the church and travelled even to non-Christian countries promoting a message of peace. He has left a great legacy. With the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio with the community over Easter we were able to express our closeness to the Holy Father in his final suffering. There will be a special Mass at Belmont this Thursday 24th April at 11am to pray for Pope Francis as he makes his final journey to the house of the Father. On the day of his funeral, the Office of the Dead will be sung, and Mass that day will be a Requiem. May the angels lead him into paradise; may the martyrs receive him at his arrival and lead him to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive him and with Lazarus, the poor man grant him eternal rest." (The In Paradisum, words from the Funeral Liturgy)
We were were honoured and delighted to be joined by the Apostolic Nuncio to celebrate Easter. His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía is the representative of the Holy See in Great Britain, and therefore of the Holy Father. His presence on Easter Sunday morning brought us more consciously in communion with Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter, as we heard the Gospel story of Peter running to the tomb. His patron saint is St Michael, so afterwards, at a festive lunch we were able to present him with some Belmont cufflinks with the monastery coat of arms - very similar to his as Archbishop. We were able to pray for him and his work in this country.
